Wearing the blue India jersey be it at U-19 level is an experience worth cherishing and for Unmukt Chand, leading the team to victory is like an "icing on the cake."
"Once you wear that India jersey and win a tournament, it obviously makes you feel proud. In my short career, obviously this is the most memorable experience," the 18-year old Unmukt told PTI from Visakhapatnam after India colts beat Sri Lanka in low-scoring final.
Those who have watched Unmukt score 151 on a seaming track against a seasoned Railways attack in the last year's Ranji Trophy swear by his talent. In fact, he scored 400 runs for Delhi in five Ranji matches.
"I am learning the tricks of the trade to successfully juggle in all three formats. That's the demand of the hour. Playing first-class cricket is a different challenge altogether but at the U-19's you are competing with your contemporaries. You can't let the intensity level drop," the first year student of St Stephen's college said.
Unmukt will now switch to the T20 format where he will be playing the North Zone leg for Delhi at Lahli but the youngster is certainly eyeing to emulate his senior statemate Virat Kohli who led India to U-19 World Cup triumph back in 2008.
"Our U-19 batch has been playing together in NCA for the past two years. We will have the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in December followed by a tour of Australia before the World Cup. Hopefully, we would be ready by then," he signed off.